Analysis of Historical of International Conflict - Research Paper Example

Analysis of Historical of International Conflict The history of human civilization is interconnected with regional, national and international conflicts/insurgencies. One can see that internal insurgencies originate from socio-political, financial, religious and cultural issues. In the modern world, external aggressions generally originate from border issues between nations, global spread of terrorism etc. On the other side, there are a number of methods to resolve regional or international conflicts. To be specific, the innovative methods like mediation, diplomacy, and negotiation are the most important factors helpful to resolve external insurgencies. When a nation fails to resolve an internal conflict by its own, there exists scope for other powerful nations or international agencies to involve in the conflict. Within this scenario, the US role in the Northern Ireland peace process can be considered as one of the successful mediations without military involvement. The Northern Ireland peace process forced the US government to deal with a number of problems because Britain is an American ally. On the other side, the Irish-American lobby was strong and influential enough to force the US to get involved in the Northern Ireland peace process. Thesis statement: The background information, reason, and after effect of Northern Ireland peace process proves that Irish-American lobbying, Irish nationalism, domestic economic objectives of Clinton administration, and change in American foreign policies following the Cold War helped the US to play the most important role in the peace process. Background information The origin of the conflict in Northern Ireland is interconnected with the non-diplomatic interaction between Britain and the island of Ireland. According to McEvoy, “The roots of the conflict in Northern Ireland can be traced back to the Anglo-Norman invasion of 1169” (McEvoy, 2008, p.22). Within the island of Ireland, the Republic of Ireland is an autonomous governing body which separated itself from UK in the year 1922. On the other side, Northern Ireland faced a number of internal problems originating from the division among the people, i.e. the nationalists and the unionists. The nationalists were of the opinion that Ireland must be separate itself from the United Kingdom. On the other side, the unionists are in favour of the idea of a unified Ireland, within the United Kingdom. This difference in opinion among the people on joining the United Kingdom is the grass root level reason behind the conflict in Northern Ireland. Adams states that, “The division of Ireland in 1920-known as partition-was the result of a violent campaign from Irish Home Rule, which had split the island into two warring camps” (Adams, 2005, p.9). From a different angle of view, the partition of the island of Ireland divided the people of Ireland and eventually led to the issues in Northern Ireland. The US involvement in the Northern Ireland peace process Historically, the US government was less interested in the internal affairs of the island of Ireland. To be specific, the US government considered that it is unfair to interfere in the internal affairs of the United Kingdom, including Britain, a US allied nation. The US involvement in Northern Ireland peace process before Clinton administration proves to be less effective. One can easily identify that the warm relationship between the US and Britain hindered the US government from involving in the Northern Ireland issue. Mitchell opines that, “The Northern Ireland peace process was also dependant on cooperation with a number of foreign governments who supplied key individuals: America (Mitchell, Haas, Ries), Canada (De Chastelain) and Finland (Ahtisaari)” (Mitchell, 2010, p.210). Besides, the British government supported the US government’s policy in Northern Ireland. Later, President Jimmy Carter (say, in the year 1977) criticized Britain for not taking initiative to solve the problem of Northern Ireland. This event proves that the US government’s attitude towards Northern Ireland is no more based upon Cold War sentiment. The Anglo-Irish Agreement, which was signed in the year 1985, deeply influenced the progress of Northern Ireland peace process. This helped the United Kingdom to gain control over the island of Ireland. To be specific, the Anglo-Irish Agreement authorized the Irish government to interfere in the problems faced by Northern Ireland. So, the Anglo-Irish Agreement attracted criticism and protest from the unionists in Northern Ireland. The Anglo-Irish Agreement proved to be less effective within the context of Northern Ireland peace process. During 1990s, the mainstream political parties in Northern Ireland, like Sinn Fein, came to realize the fact that the US involvement can solve the problem in Northern Ireland. Williams states that, “However, American involvement in Northern Ireland accelerated during the Clinton presidency when the president sought to fill the void of Cold War division, and he visited the province on no fewer than three occasions” (Williams, 2010, p.26). On the other side, the Irish government never failed to be in touch with the US government. In 1994, the Irish Republican Army agreed to neutralize its armed rebellion. Gerry Adams, who represented the Sinn Fein party in Northern Ireland, gained an opportunity to meet the US president. The meeting between Gerry Adams and the US president in the year 1995 proved to be successful and eventually led to the active involvement of the US in Northern Ireland peace process. To be specific, this meeting forced the mainstream political parties in Northern Ireland to involve in the peace process. In the year 1996, the mainstream political parties in Northern Ireland decided to co-operate with the peace process and it reduced the possibility of further problems in Northern Ireland. So, the US involvement in Northern Ireland peace process was helpful to restore peace in the island of Ireland. The reason behind the US involvement The reasons behind the US involvement in the Northern Ireland peace process can be broadly classified into four: the influence of Irish-American lobby, the US interest in international affairs, change in US foreign policy, and financial concern. Elliott points out that, “Since the early nineteenth century Irish-Americans have sought to persuade the White House and Congress to intervene in the politics of Ireland and, after Partition, Northern Ireland” (Elliott, 2008, p.78). The immigrant population in US from Ireland supported Bill Clinton during his presidential election campaign in the year 1992. Later, the Irish-American lobby began to exert pressure upon Clinton to interfere in the internal affairs of Northern Ireland. So, the pressure from the side of Irish-American lobby is one of the reasons which resulted in the US involvement in Northern Ireland peace process. During the second half of the 20th century, the US gained more importance in the international context. So, this newly gained domination over the world nations forced the US to be more interested in international affairs. Besides, the Irish government was able gain the confidence of the US government. This influence added with the Irish-American lobbying, helped the Irish government to have close contact with the White House. One can see that diplomacy is most important in international affairs. The Irish government utilized this chance to solve the problem in Northern Ireland. The change in the US foreign policy is another reason behind the US involvement in the Northern Ireland peace process. The sudden collapse of USSR in 1990s resulted in the new world order. This deeply influenced the US foreign policy. Earlier, the US government was hesitant to interfere in regional issues. But Hastedt states that, “The second factor that makes Northern Ireland such a complex foreign-policy problem for the United States is that it involves the internal affairs of a key ally, Great Britain” (Hastedt, 2009, p.351). During 1990s, the US foreign policy underwent rapid change. So, the newly gained dominance among the world nations helped the US to be an economic superpower. The contribution of the Irish immigrant population to the US economy is an important factor which forced the US government to interfere in the internal affairs or the island of Ireland. In addition, peace in Northern Ireland is important for the US investors. One can see that internal problems distract investors from further investment. The Irish government was aware of the fact that peace in Northern Ireland can accelerate economic development in Ireland. On the other side, the US government was aware of the fact that internal turmoil in Northern Ireland may affect the US economic interest in the Republic of Ireland. So, all these factors forced the US government to involve in the internal problem of the Northern Ireland. The US role in the Northern Ireland peace process The US role in the Northern Ireland peace process can be divided into four: as a superpower interested in international peace and co-operation, as the supporter of democracy, as a mediator and as an impartial advisor. A. As a superpower interested in international peace and co-operation As pointed out, the unexpected collapse of Communism in USSR during 1990s helped the US to gain more importance in the international context. To be specific, the collapse of USSR into a number of sovereign republics reduced the clash between the Communist bloc and the US bloc. Within this scenario, the US gained more importance as a superpower. The US government came to realize the fact that the responsibility to restore international peace is fully vested upon them. In Northern Ireland, the IRA (Irish Republican Army) involved in armed rebellion to free Ireland from external aggression. But the US role limited the scope of armed rebellion in Northern Ireland because the IRA decided to give up armed rebellion. This is most important because the US government forced Sinn Fein (say, the political faction of IRA) to co-operate with peace process. Greenhouse states that, “Relations took a serious turn for the worst last month when President Clinton, rejecting Mr. Major's recommendations, invited Gerry Adams, the head of the Irish Republican Army's political wing, to the White House and allowed him to raise funds in the United States” (Greenhouse, 1995). The US concern in the peace process was helpful for the loyalists and republicans to realize the fact that armed rebellion cannot solve the problem. When the mainstream political parties co-operated with the peace process, things got easier for the US government. According to Rohter, “Brokering the 1998 Good Friday peace agreement in Northern Ireland was one of President Bill Clinton’s proudest foreign policy achievements” (Rohter, 2008). At the same time, the US government did not try to cling on to the peace process without any solid reason. To be specific, when the political parties in Northern Island agreed to co-operate, the US government handed over the responsibility to the Irish government and Britain. This proves that the US played the role of a responsible superpower interested in restoring peace. B. As the supporter of democracy The origin and growth of nation states resulted in the popularity of democracy as an apt solution to overcome the troubles related to power politics. The origin of the US as a federation of states is interconnected with the spread of democracy in America. After the Cold War years, especially in 1990s, the US government acted the role of the global supporter of democracy. Gradually, aggressive nationalism and the influence of religion and culture over politics created trouble among the world nations. In Northern Ireland, cultural problems and difference in religious belief (Catholicism and Protestantism) eventually led to aggressive nationalism. To be specific, the people of Irish Republic were ready to be the part of United Kingdom. On the other side, the political parties in Northern Ireland were in favour of a unified Ireland, away from the influence of Britain. So, the US supported the people of Northern Ireland who were in favour of liberty and democracy. According to Baum, “Indeed, the Clinton administration played a central role in drafting the Good Friday peace accords of April 10, 1998, and in persuading the various parties to the conflict to sign it” (Baum, 2003, p.119). But one must not misunderstand that the US supported the armed rebellion conducted by IRA. Instead, the US supported the stabilization of national politics in Northern Ireland. The eminent political leaders in Northern Ireland like Martin McGuinness co-operated with this initiative. In short, US supported the spread of democracy in Northern Ireland. C. As a mediator The US role as a mediator in Northern Ireland is most important because the same was helpful for the people of Ireland to realize the importance of co-operation and peaceful co-existence. Burns states that, “Reaffirming the crucial role the United States has played as a mediator in the years of peace talks that ended 30 years of bloody conflict in the province, Mr. Brown and Mr. Cowen announced that Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton would preside over an investment conference to be held in the province later this year” (Burns, 2010). The Clinton administration never tried to hinder the revolutionary spirit of the people of Northern Ireland. To be specific, the Clinton administration was aware of the fact that revolutionary spirit can be easily transformed into national pride and unity. So, Bill Clinton decided to co-operate with the political parties in Northern Ireland. Guelke states that, “Previous American administrations have given their support to attempts to resolve the Northern Ireland conflict, but the Clinton administration’s involvement in the affairs of Northern Ireland has gone much deeper than that of any of its predecessors” (Guelke, 1996). The Irish-Americans played an important role in connecting Bill Clinton and the political leaders of Northern Ireland and Irish Republic. This initiative forced the political parties to provide ample importance to the confidence building measures adopted by Bill Clinton. Gradually, militant nationalism in Northern Ireland underwent transformation. Besides, IRA decided to undergo demilitarization process. Hennessey makes clear that, “In 1990 the British Government had begun its own initiative to woo Republicans away from violence” (Hennessey, 2001, p.67). On the other side, Britain co-operated with the demilitarization process of IRA. All these factors eventually led to the smooth functioning of American mediation. So, this proves that the US role as a mediator is utmost important within the peace process in Northern Ireland. D. As an impartial advisor In fact, impartiality is one of the factors that lead to the successful of a peace process. To be specific, the US role in Northern Ireland peace process is that of an impartial advisor. But Thompson opines that, “While Clinton administration did not pretend to be a source for a definitive solution, it involved itself to such an extent that its continued involvement in the peace process was critical” (Thompson, 2001, p.183). The US government never tried to intrude into the internal affairs of the Northern Ireland. As pointed out, the US government had less interest in the internal affairs of European nations. After the Cold War, the US government decided to provide importance to its financial sector because domination in international trade and commerce plays the most important role in financial development. But the Irish-American immigrant population decided to exert pressure upon the US. One can see that Ireland is an important source of workforce for the multinational corporations in US. Still, the US government decided to be an impartial advisor in the peace process. Weiss makes clear that, “In Northern Ireland, the seed was sown in April 1998 but did not sprout until November 1999, when disinterest on both sides was finally overcome to reach a compromise, only to break down once more in February 2000 before the final settlement in May” (Weiss, 2001, P.11). This proves that the US government was not ready to play a double game. Besides, US government provided ample importance to the warm relationship with the British government. At the same time, the US government never tried to exert pressure upon the Irish government. To be specific, the US government was aware of the fact that Irish co-operation can solve the problem with ease. So, the role of an impartial advisor played by the US government is one of the factors behind the progress of peace process in Northern Ireland. The after effect and future scope of US involvement The most important after effect of the US involvement in the Northern Ireland peace process is that the same accelerated the restoration of peace in the island of Island. Besides, the mainstream political parties in Northern Ireland gave up their armed rebellion government and agreed to restore peace in the island of Ireland. But Lloyd states that, “Northern Ireland stutters and grumbles its way towards a peace which is still uncertain” (Lloyd, 1998). On the other side, the US involvement in the Northern Ireland peace process strengthened the diplomatic relation between US and Northern Ireland. The future scope of US involvement in the internal matters of Northern Ireland is limited to an extent. One can see that the US role in the Northern Ireland peace process connected the missing links in the political scenario. When the US government became successful to do so, they gradually withdrew from the scene. To be specific, the US government was aware of the fact that the government of Irish Republic and Britain can reduce the scope of future problems in Northern Ireland. This timely withdrawal by the US government is one of the best examples of intervention without military involvement. Summing, the US involvement in the Northern Ireland peace process proves that mediation is one of the best possible ways to resolve the international conflicts. Within this scenario, the involvement of Irish-Americans and the nationalistic attitude of the people of Ireland are noteworthy because the same acted an important role in the smooth functioning of the initiative taken by the US government. On the other side, one cannot ignore the importance of change in American foreign policies which was helpful to deal with the crisis with ease. The Clinton administration provided ample importance to the Northern Ireland peace process because they had to deal with the domestic economic objectives. To be specific, the US role in the peace process can be considered as an example for the influence of the US government over other nations. Still, the US involvement in Northern Ireland peace process is technically and practically successful because restoration of peace with the help of mediation was the main agenda. References Adams, S., 2005. Northern Ireland. Minnesota: Black Rabbit Books. Burns, J.F., 2010. Deal Saves N. Ireland Government. The New York Times, [online] 5 February. Available at: [Accessed 09 August 2012]. Baum, M. A., 2003. Soft News Goes to War: Public Opinion and American Foreign Policy in the New Media Age. New Jersey: Princeton University Press. Elliott, M. ed., 2008. The Long Road to Peace in Northern Ireland: Second Edition. 2nd ed. Liverpool: Liverpool University Press. Guelke, A., 1996. The United States, Irish Americans and the Northern Ireland Peace Process, International Affairs (Royal Institute of International Affairs 1944- ), [online] Available at: [Accessed 09 August 2012]. Greenhouse, S., 1995. Clinton and Major Patch Up Quarrel on Northern Ireland. The New York Times, [online] 5 April. Available at: < http://www.nytimes.com/1995/04/05/world/clinton-and-major-patch-up-quarrel-on-northern-ireland.html?pagewanted=all&src=pm> [Accessed 09 August 2012]. Hastedt, G.P., 2009. Encyclopedia of American Foreign Policy. New York: Infobase Publishing. Hennessey, T., 2001. The Northern Ireland Peace Process: Ending the Troubles. 2nd ed. New York: Palgrave Macmillan. Lloyd, J., 1998. Ireland's Uncertain Peace, Foreign Affairs, [online] Available at: < http://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/54398/john-lloyd/irelands-uncertain-peace> [Accessed 09 August 2012]. McEvoy, J., 2008. The Politics of Northern Ireland. Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press. Mitchell, T. G., 2010. When Peace Fails: Lessons from Belfast for the Middle East. North Carolina: McFarland. Rohter, L., 2008. Conflicting Takes, Here and Abroad, on Clinton’s Role in Northern Ireland Accord. The New York Times, [online] 22 March. Available at: < http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/22/us/politics/22irish.html?pagewanted=print> [Accessed 09 August 2012]. Thompson, J. E., 2001. American Policy and Northern Ireland: A Saga of Peacebuilding. Westport: Greenwood Publishing Group. Weiss, R., 2001. Peace in Their Time. Bodmin: I.B.Tauris. Williams, B., 2010. The Northern Ireland Peace Process and the International Context. Kent: Pneuma Springs Publishing. Read More